Chelsea Durand / NYRA Photo

Unanimous Consent cruises home in $100K Woodhaven

by Mary Eddy

The unbeaten Unanimous Consent remained perfect for owner Klaravich Stables with an off-the-pace victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Woodhaven for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown, Unanimous Consent entered from a first level allowance optional claiming win in February at Tampa Bay Downs. The son of Almanzor earned his first stakes victory by 1 3/4 lengths with a well-timed ride by Manny Franco.

Unanimous Consent broke from post 5 and was content to sit behind the pace set by Chanceux, who rushed up to take command from Maseta as the field of six passed the wire for the first time and entered the first turn through an opening quarter-mile in 24.22 seconds. Franco settled Unanimous Consent in fifth along the rail with the order unchanged through a half-mile in 49.53 over the firm turf. 

Maseta and the Jose Lezcano-piloted Fort Washington came under a ride on an outside path approaching the final turn as Chanceux began to tire. Franco got to work aboard his charge, making up ground steadily through the turn before launching a menacing bid down the center of the racetrack and flying to the front just past the eighth pole.

With Fort Washington and Chanceux battling on for second behind him, Franco peeked back to his outside and inside before wrapping up Unanimous Consent a few strides before crossing the wire in a final time of 1:42.95.

Fort Washington reached the wire next, a nose the better of Chanceux with the late-running Ohtwoohthreefive completing the superfecta 1 3/4 lengths back. Heaven Street and Maseta rounded out the order of finish. Doctor Jeff was scratched.

Franco said getting good position was imperative to securing the win. 

“I didn’t want to get stuck with him because he takes a while to get going,” Franco said. “When I made my move, I just wanted to go all in and he gave me a nice kick. When he made the lead, he slowed things down. I had to keep him busy. He was ready for today.”

Dan Stupp, assistant to Brown, praised the barn’s Florida team, who sent the sophomore colt out to his 1 1/2-length optional claiming score last out and prepared him for his first stakes triumph.

“He displayed a nice kick in the end there,” Stupp said. “He came up here from Florida in great condition. The guys down there did a fantastic job with him. It was an exciting effort early in his 3-year-old year.”

Lezcano was happy with Fort Washington’s runner-up effort and said he will likely benefit from more ground.

“I tried to keep him a little bit closer,” said Lezcano. “I know the track is playing a little towards speed. I think he’s a very nice horse, but the longer the better for him.”

Bred in Great Britain by Plantation Stud, Unanimous Consent was a $204,475 purchase at the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. In addition to his perfect 3-for-3 record, the bay colt now boasts total purse earnings of $103,600. A $2 win wager on Unanimous Consent returned $5.10.

Live racing resumes on Sunday at the Big A for Closing Day of the spring meet. The nine-race card features the $200,000 NYSSS Park Avenue in Race 3 and the $100,000 Memories of Silver in Race 8. First post is 1:20 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the spring meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.